Have you heard of Mount Takao? It is outside of Tokyo but is easily accessible via train. Mount Takao boasts a quiet, serene surrounding—a far cry from the hectic city life.

Mount Takao is a day trip option if you want to get out of the city for a bit, and getting there from Shinjuku Station takes about an hour. But the mountain does not just offer the sights and sounds of nature, there are also shopping streets and restaurants located on the mountain itself!

Still not sure whether you should make the commute? Here are 7 Reasons Why You Should Make A Day Trip From Tokyo To Mount Takao.

#1 THERE ARE SEVERAL HIKING TRAILS TO TAKE

Nature lovers will love making the most out of the day trip by hiking up the mountain. Trail Number 1 offers concrete footpaths up the mountain, but the remaining trails are unpaved, although they are less crowded.

A hike up the mountain takes about 90 minutes.

#2 YOU CAN EVEN TAKE A CABLE CAR IF YOU ARE LAZY

There are cable cars going up and down the mountain for travellers who would rather do without the hike. It will only take about 20 minutes or less to get to the top! A single trip costs ¥480, while a round trip costs ¥930.

#3 YOU WILL GET A CLEAR VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINOUS SURROUNDINGS

The view from the mountain is breathtaking, to say the least. There is an outlook point that allows visitors to take in the beautiful surroundings. If you are tired after your hike, you can even sit on the benches while you sip on a drink.

Plus, the view is great for pictures!

#4 SHOP ON THE TRANQUIL STREETS

The road leading up to the cable car centre is lined with independent stores, selling everything from handmade rice crackers, ice cream, to little keychains and souvenirs.

#5 FILL YOUR TUMMY WITH SOME DELICIOUS SOBA

If you take a walk down the serene shopping streets within Mount Takao, you will find plenty of soba restaurants. Soba is evidently a popular dish in Mount Takao, and you can feast on hot, soupy soba noodles, or just some traditional ice-cold soba.

#6 WATCH MONKEYS PLAY AROUND

Near the top of the mountain sits a little Monkey Park, and you just need to pay a small entrance fee to be able to see the jumpy creatures in their enclosures.

Access to the Monkey Park costs ¥420 per head.

Photo Credit: WAttention

#7 THE AUTUMN FOLIAGE IS AMAZING

Mount Takao is very popular during Autumn, when the trees all around the mountain turn into various shades of orange, yellow and red. The autumn foliage is simple stunning; and very quintessential of Japan.

Just this alone is worth the trip to Mount Takao during Autumn!

HOW TO GET TO MOUNT TAKAO

Mount Takao is easily accessible via train from Shinjuku Station in Central Tokyo. It takes approximately one hour.

Simply hop onto the Keio Railway line from Shinjuku, and alight at Takaosanguchi Station—the nearest Station to Mount Takao.

Read: 6 Best Day Trips From Tokyo You Will Regret Not Visiting.

Japan is definitely a country you cannot visit just once.

The different prefectures each carry its own individual charm. You can choose to experience how the modern city life is like, or let the old-world architecture of other cities take you back in time.

It is quite impossible to cover every inch of Japan with just one trip, but you can get the most out of your stay by going for short, eye-opening day trips to other towns and cities located within reasonable distances from Tokyo.

Here are 6 Of The Best Daytrips From Tokyo.

Photo Credit: Boutique Japan

#1 HAKONE, KANAGAWA

Hakone in Kanagawa is reasonably near Tokyo, and is about an hour and a half away from Tokyo. You can easily catch a train down the Odakyu line to Hakone-Yumoto station. You will be greeted with a magnificent sight of Mount Fuji, coupled with a number of other attractions around the area.

Hakone is, in fact, one of the best places in Japan to catch the sakura blooms around spring time. Besides admiring cherry blossoms, you can also visit the numerous hot springs around Hakone, and try some unique black volcanic eggs that can only be found in the town.

There is also the iconic shrine that is everyone’s favourite photo spot.

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

#2 KAMAKURA, KANAGAWA

Kamakura, like Hakone, is located in the Kanagawa Prefecture. But what Kamakura is best known for is its Great Buddha of Kotokuin Temple, the second largest bronze Buddha statue in all of Japan.

Besides Kotoku-in, Kamakura is also dotted with many other temples such as Engakuji Temple and Hase-dera Temple.

You can also sunbathe and swim around the sandy beaches of Kamakura. It only takes an hour and 15 minutes to get from Tokyo to Kamakura by train!

Photo Credit: YouTube

#3 KAWAGOE, SAITAMA

You do not need a trip to Kyoto to step into “Edomae Nihon”.

Kawagoe in Saitama is only a 30-minute train ride from Tokyo. The serene streets are flanked with quiet little storehouses that were built decades ago, taking you back to the Edo period.

Life here feels almost uncommercialised. You can have a meal at one of the authentic Japanese restaurants along the road, or take some traditional Japanese candy home from one of the stores.

Photo Credit: Washingtonian Post

#4 MOUNT FUJI, SHIZUOKA

You have seen this iconic mountain on postcards and screen savers, but while you are in Japan, you should definitely pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site and see Mount Fuji in person.

You can get to Shizouka via the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line, and it would take slightly over an hour.

Shizouka prefecture is one of the best places to score an unobstructed view of the volcano. Try going to Fuji City and Shimizu! Just make sure you visit when the fog and mist are not thick so as to score a clearer view of the magnificent mountain.

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

#5 NIKKO CITY, TOCHIGI

Be awed by the beautiful autumnal colours in Nikko City when fall comes. The trees will turn into beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow when the fall months approach and this attracts a good number of tourists every year.

Nikko City is also home to a number of shrines such as Taiyuinbyo, Rinnoji Temple and Tamazowa Imperial Villa. You can also visit the Sacrad Shinkyo Bridge! Originally built in 1936, the bridge looks out to the beautiful natural landscapes, waterfalls, and lakes.

Nikko City is a two-hour train ride from Tokyo.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

#6 CHIBA PREFECTURE

A couple of Japan’s most popular attractions and touristy sites are actually located in Chiba Prefecture, including Tokyo Disneyland. It is also where Narita Airport is located.

The Boso Peninsula takes up a large amount of the prefecture and holds many natural and architectural treasures for your discovery.

While you are in Chiba, be sure to visit the Tateyama Castle for an aerial view of the town and Mount Nokogiriyama. Nicknamed Sawtooth Mountain, Mount Nokogiriyama literally puts you at the edge of the world. From the vantage point, you will be able to see Tokyo Bay, and even Mount Fuji if weather permits.

It takes about an hour and a half to get to Chiba from Tokyo.

Contrary to popular belief, Tokyo is not just about the glitzy skyscrapers. There are many tranquil destinations in the countryside that are all easily accessible by train from the city centre, and they are mostly about an hour to two’s journey.

Due to its relative far-flung locations, these places remain largely unknown that even many Japanese natives are unaware of their presence. While Tokyo is an amazing metropolis with endless dining and retail options, travellers in search for an alternative attraction—with the absence of crowds—can consider exploring the options in this guide.

From Noyamakita-Rokudoyama Park, South Inari Shrine to Ishikawa Brewery, here are 7 Countryside Destinations From Tokyo You Never Knew About.

#1 ENPUKIJI TEMPLE

The serene Enpukiji Temple is situated within a ten-minute stroll from Hakonegasaki Station, and it offers visitors an alternative quiet respite from the hectic urban life.

We were the only visitors there and truth to be told, the silence was almost deafening. The age-old place of worship is a photogenic site, so do bring your cameras along.

#2 FUSSA INSTITUTE

Fussa city’s Fukushoin Temple was erected in 1306 during the Muromachi period but the infrastructure has since then been restored to its grandeur of yesteryears; just check out its glorious golden sheen! You will also discover ancient stoneworks dated centuries old here.

#3 ISHIKAWA BREWERY

Ishikawa Brewery is Fussa’s most popular attraction and advance bookings are necessary should you wish to view the brewing process.

Do check out the brewery’s huge beer caldron – the relic interestingly survived the war due to negligence (to the extent where it got buried). Upon rediscovery, the caldron became a national heritage artefact and has since been an important relic.

The compound is home to a small historical museum and two restaurants too, namely Western restaurant Fussa no Birugoya and Japanese restaurant Zougura.

The museum, located above Zougura, exhibits historic artefacts and essential information about Ishikawa Brewery. You can expect to see beer recipes and labels.

Admission to the museum is free.

1 Kumagawa, Fussa, Tokyo 197-0003, Japan

#4 KUMAGAWA SHRINE

Kumagawa Shrine is the oldest wooden building in Fussa and has been designated as a tangible cultural asset of Tokyo. It was constructed in the Azuchi–Momoyama period and the residents here believe that the shrine is Kumagawa Village’s guardian.

Kumagawa Shrine can be reached within an eight-minute walk from JR Kumagawa Station. An antique market is held here on the second Sunday of each month.

197-0003 659, Kumagawa, Fussa-shi, Tokyo

#5 NOYAMAKITA-ROKUDOYAMA PARK

Opened in 1988, Noyamakita-Rokudoyama Park spans across 140 hectares, and is a massive park in Tokyo that is suitable for a leisure hike for nature lovers.

The lush forest has several vantage points boasting splendid views of Mizuho Town. Retreat into the woods and keep your eyes peeled as Noyamakita-Rokudoyama Park is home to countless flora and fauna.

Take your kids here for an interactive bonding session, where the family can experience rural Japanese activities such as rice cultivation.

Alternatively, head over to the Adventure Forest and enjoy spectacular bird’s eye view from above at the observation deck.

208-0032 Tokyo, Musashimurayama, Mitsugi, 4?2

#6 SAYAMA IKE PARK

Sayama Ike Park is a peaceful park frequented by the residents that reside nearby. The locals-only park is a stone’s throw away from Hakonegasaki Station and the beautiful Benzaiten Shrine positioned at the entrance will greet you upon arrival.

The Sayama Lake is surrounded by greenery, and is actually part of an irrigation reservoir.

#7 SOUTH INARI SHRINE

Embark on a 20-minute walk from JR Haijima Station and you will arrive at South Inari Shrine. Look closely and you will notice that a mini bridge has been built to avoid damaging the gigantic roots of the zelkova tree.

This post is brought to you by Tokyo Metropolitan Government as part of Tokyo Sightseeing Promoting Project. For more information, please visit tokyo reporter.